Tendulkar, greatest after Don: Waugh

Sydney, April 25: Australia's limited overs captain Steve Waugh declared Indian star Sachin Tendulkar was best batsman since Sir Donald Brad...

Sydney, April 25: Australia8217;s limited overs captain Steve Waugh declared Indian star Sachin Tendulkar was best batsman since Sir Donald Bradman after Tendulkar destroyed his side in Sharjah.

Tendulkar8217;s 134 yesterday took his haul against Australia to 1,130 runs from 12 innings at an average of 113 since the Australians arrived in India on February 21. His knocks included one double century, five centuries and two half centuries.

8220;You take Bradman away and he is next up I reckon,8221; Waugh said today.

Waugh said what sets Tendulkar apart from other batsman is he picks up the ball so early.

8220;He is just such a sweet timer of the ball. He8217;s got a great eye and great foot movement and he very rarely gets in the wrong position,8221; Waugh said.

Australian Bradman is widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman to have played the game. He scored 6,996 in 52 Tests at a peerless average of 99.94. Only a duck in his final innings deprived him of a 100 career average.

Bradman, 89, said in a 1996 televisioninterview that Tendulkar was the one player he has seen who reminded him of himself.

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SACHIN AIMS FOR BETTER DISPLAY: Tendulkar dedicated his stupendous hundred on his 25th birthday tonight to wife Anjali after India8217;s splendid six-wicket win at Sharjah.

8220;This is a gift from me to my wife,8221; the birthday boy announced after the match and hoped there would be many more such memorable birthdays which will bring victories for India.

8220;I wish I could have many more such birthdays. It would be good for the country,8221; he said accepting his awards as player of the match and tournament.

8220;I would like to be better than this. You should always try to improve,8221; opined the little champion who was declared the best batsman of the tournament and presented a Opel Astra car for his efforts.

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A proud Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin said his team played very well to lift the Cup. 8220;We played very well. We had 50 per cent chances of winning and I think the boys really did well,8221; he said adding his team didnot do well in the initial stages but really clicked in the final.

8220;Sachin batted brilliantly throughout the tournament. I hope he has many such tournaments,8221; Azhar said.

Australian skipper Steve Waugh said his team was beaten by a great player. Terming the Indian maestro8217;s knock as 8220;one of the great innings8221; he had seen, Waugh said Australia gave it their best but India played better.